GUIDE TO THE SCRIPTURES
Bless, Blessed, Blessing
See also Administration to the Sick; Grace; Law; Patriarchal Blessings; Thankful, Thanks, Thanksgiving

To confer divine favor upon someone. Anything contributing to true happiness, well-being, or prosperity is a blessing.

All blessings are based on eternal laws (D&C 130: 20-21). Because God wants his children to find joy in life (2 Ne. 2: 25), he grants blessings to them as a result of their obedience to his commandments (D&C 82: 10), in answer to a prayer or priesthood ordinance (D&C 19: 38; 107: 65-67), or through his grace (2 Ne. 25: 23).

A well-known list of statements about blessedness is the Beatitudes (Matt. 5: 1-12; 3 Ne. 12: 1-12).

General: I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, Gen. 12: 2-3 (1 Ne. 15: 18; Abr. 2: 9-11). Blessings are upon the head of the just, Prov. 10: 6. A faithful man shall abound with blessings, Prov. 28: 20. The Lord will open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing, Mal. 3: 10 (3 Ne. 24: 10). The Beatitudes promise blessings, Matt. 5: 1-12 (3 Ne. 12: 1-12). Blessed are they who are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb, Rev. 19: 9. He that is righteous is favored of God, 1 Ne. 17: 35 (Mosiah 10: 13). If ye will hearken, I leave unto you a blessing, 2 Ne. 1: 28. I leave unto you the same blessing, 2 Ne. 4: 9. He immediately blesses you, Mosiah 2: 24. The Lord blesses and prospers those who put their trust in him, Hel. 12: 1. Assist to bring forth my work, and you shall be blessed, D&C 6: 9. Pray always, and great shall be your blessing, D&C 19: 38. Be baptized, and you shall receive my Spirit and a blessing so great as you have never known, D&C 39: 10. After much tribulation come the blessings, D&C 58: 4. Men obey not; I revoke and they receive not the blessing, D&C 58: 32. Ye have not understood how great blessings the Father has prepared for you, D&C 78: 17. From the high priesthood comes the administering of ordinances and blessings upon the church, D&C 107: 65-67. There is a law upon which all blessings are predicated, D&C 130: 20. All who will have a blessing at my hands shall abide the law, D&C 132: 5. Blessings are held in reserve for them that love the Lord, D&C 138: 52. Abraham sought for the blessings of the fathers and the right to administer the same, Abr. 1: 2.

Blessing of children: He took them up in his arms and blessed them, Mark 10: 16. He took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, 3 Ne. 17: 21. Elders are to bless children in the name of Jesus Christ, D&C 20: 70.